Rephonic
Artwork for Word In Your Ear
The Beatles
Punk Rock
Oasis
London
Bob Dylan
David Bowie
Music Industry
Taylor Swift
Beach Boys
Nick Drake
Prince
The Rolling Stones
Ringo Starr
Led Zeppelin
Jimi Hendrix
Rock Music
Bruce Springsteen
Elkie Brooks
Music History
Hey Joe

Mark Ellen and David Hepworth have been talking about and writing about music together and individually for a collective eighty years in magazines like Smash Hits, Mojo and The Word and on radio and TV programmes like "Rock On", "Whistle Test" and VH-1.

Over thirteen years ago, when working on the late magazine The Word, they began producing podcasts. Some listeners have been kind enough to say th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1002Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Music CommentaryMusicMusic History

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Artwork for Word In Your Ear

Latest Episodes

Dave Rowntree had a camera with him as Blur took off in the early ‘90s and his book ‘No-One You Know’ distils the thrill of a band in ascent – backstage, in studios, with fans, on tour buses and their first trips to America and Japan. It bristles wit... more

Natalie Merchant joined 10,000 Maniacs when she was 17, had a long and successful solo career and then began teaching children in New York State. Realising the value of rhymes and theatre, her adaptation of Mother Goose (played by herself) was expand... more

The Proclaimers have only had a handful of hits but they’re songs that have kept expanding for nearly 40 years. And the World Cup was a reminder of how far they’ve reached. Craig and Charlie Reid talk to us here about first adventures onstage, talent... more

The original rock podcast - now in its 20th year! – knocks the week’s news across the conversational net. Amid the top-spin, rallies and double-faults, you’ll find …

… farcical developments in the Tupac trial

… the shock-horror reaction to the Sa... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Martin Simpson
FoLK guitarist and subject of the interview
Independent musician
Episode: Martin Simpson’s 60 years on the folk circuit ‘making people cry for a living’
Bob Stanley
Author of The Shadows, The Definitive Story
Author, The Shadows book
Episode: The Shadows and the chequered tale of the first British rock’n’roll band
Jamie Fisher
Author of Nobody Broke Your Heart (biography of Elliott Smith)
Author
Episode: Elliott Smith, his life, his afterlife and the friends who believed in him
Michael Cragg
Music journalist and author of Can't Get You Out of My Head
Author, Journalist
Episode: How Kylie became the whole world’s sweetheart
Linda Thompson
Singer-songwriter, former member of Fairport Convention
Music Industry
Episode: Sandy Denny’s life and luminous talent celebrated by Linda Thompson
Tim Pope
Video director for The Cure, Bowie, Soft Cell, etc.
Independent filmmaker / music video director
Episode: Bowie, the Cure, Neil Young and the golden age of the video shoot
Pauline Black
Singer, The Selecter
The Selecter
Episode: Pauline Black of the Selecter, the girl who invented the Rude Girl
Ben Sidron
Jazz pianist, broadcaster and author mentioned on the show
Episode: Jonathan Richman, on-the-road songs and the best-known solo ever recorded
Ben Sidran
Author, musician and broadcaster who wrote about Georgie Fame
Author, musician
Episode: Georgie Fame, Ben Sidran and the golden age of ‘60s Soho

Hosts

Mark Ellen
Host of Word In Your Ear; veteran music journalist and broadcaster with long-standing involvement in music culture history.
David Hepworth
Co-host and co-creator; veteran music journalist and author with extensive industry knowledge.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 835 ratings
  • Smashing pod from the Smash Hits Team

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ericorthwaite
    3 months ago
  • Great podcast

    Like sitting in a pub with some mates chatting about music and arts. We need a book with all the Stackwaddys in it .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mdjudickck
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • A constant companion

    ‘Keep us in therapy and you can walk the dog at the same time’ goes the ident, well WIYE regularly accompanies me on my late night dog walks and I hope it continues to do so for a long time.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pwg69
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Two Beautiful People

    Great raconteurs who must be listened to. One of these guys kind of sounds like Paul McCartney too, which is not bad at all.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Guy Jincarde
    Japan3 months ago
  • Where’s Pete?

    Love the pod, guys. Always fun and enlightening. Thanks for the words about Andy Kershaw. I saw Pete Paphides’ column about Andy and he mentioned interviewing Andy for Word Magazine back in the day. Which leads me to the question: Has Pete ever appeared on Word In Your Ear?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Joshua Graham12
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Appeals to those who want nuanced cultural context rather than quick takes.
Some critique the ad load or occasional digressions, but many still rate the show highly.
Listeners praise the hosts' knowledgeable, relaxed chemistry and storytelling.
Fans value the deep dives into music history and the array of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Martin Simpson’s 60 years on the folk circuit ‘making people cry for a living’
Q: What first drew you to the guitar and to the folk scene?
Simpson describes growing up with a mix of Gilbert and Sullivan, American blues, and traditional songs, which laid the foundation for his vocal and guitar work and his aim to move audiences emotionally.
The Shadows and the chequered tale of the first British rock’n’roll band
Q: What do you think is the greatest Shadows record and why does that track stand out?
The hosts highlight Wonderful Land as a standout for its innovative structure and orchestration, noting FBI as the quintessential Shadows sound, while Wonderful Land introduced strings and shifted expectations of instrumental pop, making it a landmark.
The Shadows and the chequered tale of the first British rock’n’roll band
Q: What was the reaction in the Shadows' circle when Cliff Richard announced his Christian conversion and commitment to stepping back from show business?
Stanley notes that Cliff's personal pivot didn't just affect him; it left The Shadows facing a period of uncertainty, with their momentum cooling and sales declining, ultimately contributing to their decision to stop as a main lineup in 1968.
The Shadows and the chequered tale of the first British rock’n’roll band
Q: So tell us that story—how did Hank Marvin and Bruce Welch end up moving to London at such a young age and what happened next?
Bob Stanley explains that the pair journeyed to London as teenagers after a talent contest in Edmonton, quickly connected with the scene around Two I's coffee bars, and began backing Cliff Richard while also pursuing their own path, which helped lay the groundwork for The Shadows' rise.
Tony Fletcher - teenage label boss! – remembers the Jam, the Tube and the ‘80s pop explosion
Q: What were the challenges of moving from indie to a broader pop context in that era, and how did Fletcher perceive the industry's mechanics?
Fletcher describes naivety about how the business worked, the difficulty of getting songs into the top tier, and a rapid shift in the industry as punk evolved into pop. He notes the importance of visibility (Top of the Pops, Smash Hits), the tension between artistic control and commercial pressure, and the surprising stories behind decisions—such as why certain songs succeeded or failed in chart shops and radio play.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Word In Your Ear

What is Word In Your Ear about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A conversational deep-dive into music history, culture, and personalities, hosted by two veteran music journalists. Episodes frequently center on influential artists, defining moments in rock and folk history, and behind-the-scenes industry stories. The tone is warmly anecdotal, often blending nostalgia with sharp cultural observations, and guests range from legendary performers to biographers and music historians. A standout trait is the show's long-running, knowledgeable vibe—listeners get seasoned perspectives, well-researched context, and engaging banter that feels like chatting with music-obsessed friends. This mix makes it attractive to listeners who enjoy rich storytelling, historical context, and candid conversations with figures sh... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word In Your Ear?

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1. EggPod Express
2. Sodajerker On Songwriting
3. THE ADAM BUXTON PODCAST
4. Something About the Beatles
5. Strong Message Here

How many episodes of Word In Your Ear are there?

Word In Your Ear launched 5 years ago and published 1002 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word In Your Ear?

Recent guests on Word In Your Ear include:

1. Martin Simpson
2. Bob Stanley
3. Jamie Fisher
4. Michael Cragg
5. Linda Thompson
6. Tim Pope
7. Pauline Black
8. Ben Sidron

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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